Portable Tennis Racket Stringing Machine

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed toward a portable tennis racket stringing machine which utilizes an advanced string clamp and tensioning lever. The machine comprises a base, a mounting plate, and one or more string clamps. The mounting plate has a plurality of channels shaped for receiving one or more string clamp feet. The string clamp has one or more string clamp feet shaped for being inserted into the channels. The string clamp is secured to the machine on one side of the string bed and locks on the other side of the string bed. The lever comprises an external housing, a tension lever, a brake lever, and a tension spring. When the tension in the string is equal to or greater than the tension in the tension spring, the brake lever engages a brake which causes the lever to lock into its then current position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to a racket stringing machine and morespecifically to a portable racket stringing machine with an improvedstring clamp and tension arm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tennis racket stringing machines come in many forms. Some racketstringing machines are set on pedestals and are positioned in a fixedlocation. This permits a user to stand in place and set the strings on atennis racket. Such a method is sufficient when stringing a racket forthe very first time in a factory setting. These pedestal machines oftenutilize an electric motor to provide the tension to the string duringthe stringing process. However, the use of such a machine is limited inother settings. Tennis players travel long distances to play intournaments and strings may break while a racket is in use. Because ofthe size and weight of standard stringing machines it is not efficientto use such machines in multiple locations and portable machines aredesired.

Portable machines are known in the art but are often still limited instructure. Often these stringing machines are structured to be placed ontop of a table. To save on weight these machines to not use electricmotors to provide tension on the string but instead use a drop weight ora hand crank. Machines utilizing a drop weight have a weight positionedon a rotational arm which is in turn attached to a string gripper. Thedrop weight may be slid up and down the rotational arm to change thetension which is set in the string. As the drop weight is slid furtherout along the arm the torque placed on the rotational arm increases,increasing the force a user must place on the rotational arm and thusthe tension in the string. As the drop weight is slid lower on therotational arm the torque placed on the rotational arm decreases,decreasing the force a user must place on the rotational arm and thusdecreasing the tension in the string. This method of tensioning thestring is sufficient in its ease of simplicity but is limited in that aheavy weight must be used. The heaviness and size of the weight requireddoes not permit the racket stringing machine to be as lightweight andportable as may be desired.

Some portable stringing machines utilize a hand crank or an electromotorcrank to provide tension to the string. However, these systems becomeoverly complicated with many moving parts which may break during use ortransporting. Additionally, these complicated systems increase the costof producing the machines and thus increases the cost for the end user.What is needed is a portable racket stringing machine that provides thesimplicity of the drop weight tensioning system, but is not as heavy asthe drop weight system. Furthermore, what is needed is a portable racketstringing machine that is not as complicated to manufacture as thoseutilizing a crank or electric motor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed toward a portable tennis racket stringingmachine which utilizes an advanced string clamp and tensioning lever.The invention is directed toward a tennis racket stringing machinecomprising a base, a mounting plate, and one or more string clamps. Themounting plate has a plurality of channels shaped for receiving one ormore string clamp feet. The string clamp has one or more string clampfeet shaped for being inserted into the channels. The string clamp isremovably secured to the mounting plate when the string clamp feet areplaced in the channels. The string clamp is positioned from above thestring bed, lowered over the string bed, is secured to the mountingplate, and then is locked on a string during the stringing process. Thestring clamp is secured to the machine on one side of the string bed andlocks on the other side of the string bed. Furthermore, the string clampmay further comprise a string clamp lock, a string clamp lever, and oneor more fingers.

In one embodiment, the mounting plate may be movable along the plane ofthe string bed. A user positions the mounting plate in a desiredlocation along the plane of the string bed, and locks the mounting platein place prior to attaching the string clamp to the mounting plate.

In an alternative embodiment, the mounting plate is an immobile platewith the plurality of channels covering the substantial surface of themounting plate. The plurality of channels is located substantiallythroughout the string bed area. This embodiment may further comprise aplurality of racket mounts and a rotational plate base. The rotationalplate base is connected to the base so that as the base remains in afixed position a user may rotate the rotational plate base. The mountingplate is affixed to the rotational plate base. Furthermore, theinvention may further comprise a drum and a lever. The drum is attachedto the base. The drum comprises a string gripper designed to secure astring during the stringing process, an immobile axle, and a brake. Thedrum rotates freely about the immobile axle. The lever comprises anexternal housing, a tension lever, a brake lever, and a tension spring.The tension lever is placed within the external housing and connected tothe drum. The tension spring is positioned between the tension lever andthe external housing of the lever. The tension spring connects thetension lever to the external housing of the lever. The brake lever isremovably secured to the tension lever. When the tension in the stringis equal to or greater than the tension in the tension spring, thetension lever compresses the tension spring. When the tension levercompresses the tension spring the tension lever detaches from the brakelever. When the brake lever detaches from the tension lever the brakelever engages the brake. When the brake is engaged the drum becomesimmobile and locks into the then current position.

This embodiment may further comprise a brake release button. The brakelever disengages the brake when a user presses the brake release button.The brake release button may be located on the lever. Alternatively,this embodiment may further comprise a brake lever handle. The brakelever handle protrudes from the external housing of the lever and is anextension of the brake lever. A user may slide the brake lever handledistal from the drum to disengage the brake lever from the brake. In anyof these embodiments the brake may be a torsion spring brake or a discbrake.

Furthermore, in any embodiment of the invention, the racket stringingmachine may further comprise a slidable spring slot and a slidablespring head. The slidable spring slot is positioned along thelongitudinal axis of the lever. The slidable spring head passes throughthe slidable spring slot and is connected to the tension spring. A usermay change the tension set in the string during the stringing process bysliding the tension spring along the slidable spring slot. The tensionspring is a slidable spring. In this embodiment the brake may be atorsion spring brake.

The invention is also directed toward a tennis racket stringing machinecomprising a base, a rotational plate base, a mounting plate, aplurality of racket mounts, a table clamp, a drum, and a lever. Therotational plate base is connected to the base so that as the baseremains in a fixed position a user may rotate the rotational plate base.The mounting plate is affixed to the rotational plate base. The tableclamp is affixed to the base so that the table clamp permits a user toaffix the base to planar surface. The drum is attached to the base. Thedrum comprises a string gripper designed to secure a string during thestringing process, an immobile axle, and a brake. The drum rotatesfreely about the immobile axle. The lever comprises an external housing,a tension lever, a brake lever, and a tension spring. The tension leveris placed within the external housing and connected to the drum. Thebrake lever is placed within the external housing and the brake leverhas a brake lever handle protruding from externally from the lever. Thetension spring is positioned between the tension lever and the externalhousing of the lever. The tension spring connects the tension lever tothe external housing of the lever. The brake lever is removably securedto the tension lever. When the tension in the string is equal to orgreater than the tension in the tension spring, the tension levercompresses the tension spring. When the tension lever compresses thetension spring the tension lever detaches from the brake lever. When thebrake lever detaches from the tension lever the brake lever engages thebrake. When the brake is engaged the drum becomes immobile and locksinto the then current position.

In this embodiment the brake may be a torsion spring brake. Thisembodiment may further comprise a slidable spring slot and a slidablespring head. The slidable spring slot s positioned along thelongitudinal axis of the lever. The slidable spring head passes throughthe slidable spring slot and is connected to the tension spring. A usermay change the tension set in the string during the stringing process bysliding the tension spring along the slidable spring slot. The tensionspring is a slidable spring. Furthermore, in this embodiment, themounting plate may have a plurality of channels shaped for receiving oneor more string clamp feet. In this instance the racket stringing machinefurther comprises one or more string clamps. The string clamp has one ormore string clamp feet shaped for being inserted into the channels. Thestring clamp is removably secured to the mounting plate when the stringclamp feet are placed in the channels.

The invention is also directed toward a process for stringing a racket.The process comprises placing a racket blank on a mounting plate,securing the racket blank to the mounting plate by means of a pluralityof racket mounts, threading a string through the racket blank, securingthe string on a string gripper attached to a drum, rotating a lever froma beginning position to apply tension to the string, lowering a stringclamp over the string, placing the plurality of string clamp feet in aplurality of channels in the mounting plate, locking the string clamponto the string, disengaging the brake lever, and rotating the lever tothe beginning position. In this process the drum is attached to a baseand the lever is connected to the drum. The lever comprises an externalhousing, a tension lever, a brake lever, and a tension spring. Thetension lever is placed within the external housing and connected to thedrum. The brake lever is placed within the external housing. The tensionspring is positioned between the tension lever and the external housingof the lever. The tension spring connects the tension lever to theexternal housing of the lever. The brake lever is removably secured tothe tension lever. When the tension in the string is equal to or greaterthan the tension in the tension spring, the tension lever compresses thetension spring. When the tension lever compresses the tension spring thetension lever detaches from the brake lever. When the brake leverdetaches from the tension lever the brake lever engages the brake. Whenthe brake is engaged the drum becomes immobile and locks into the thencurrent position. The string clamp has a plurality of string clamp feet.

The process may further comprise rotating the mounting plate to rotatethe racket and securing the string to the racket. The process mayfurther comprise first securing the base to a planar surface by means ofa table clamp. In this process the table clamp is attached to the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the portable stringingmachine.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the portable stringingmachine.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the string clamp mounted on the mountingplate.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the string clamp.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of the lever.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the present invention will be described with reference to theexemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understoodthat the present invention can be embodied in many alternate forms orembodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elementsor materials could be used.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a full view of the racket stringingmachine is displayed. In the embodiment of the invention displayed, theracket stringing machine is comprised of a base 105 and a lever 150connected together via a drum 110. The racket is mounted on a pluralityof racket mounts 130. The racket stringing machine may have any numberof racket mounts 130 but in the preferred embodiment there are tworacket mounts 130 placed opposite of each other on the mounting plate125. The mounting plate 125 is attached on top of a rotational platebase 120. The rotational plate base 120 rotates freely 360 degrees topermit a user to easily string a racket in any necessary position. Therotational plate base 120 is attached to the base 105. The base 105 isdesigned to be placed on top of a table to be used during the stringingprocess. The base 105 is attached to the table by a table clamp 115.

When the base 105 is placed on the table, the drum 110 is positionedover the edge of the table. The string used to string the racket issecured in the string gripper 112 on the drum 110. The drum 110 has alever 150 which rotates along a vertical axis. In other embodiments thelever 150 may rotate around a horizontal axis. The axis may also beoriented in any alternative position. As the lever 150 is rotated awayfrom the base 105, as shown in FIG. 2, the drum 110 rotates about anaxis. The base 105 is attached to the axis about which the drum 110rotates. The lever 150 is attached to the drum 110 so as the userrotates the lever 150 the drum 110 rotates. As the user rotates thelever 150 away from the base 105, the drum 110 rotates away from thebase 105 and the string gripper 112 pulls the string and places tensionon the string. The lever 150 has a slidable spring head 135 within aslidable spring slot 140 on one side of the lever 150 and a brake leverhandle 145 on the other side of the lever 150.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, when a predetermined tension is placedon the string 10, the user utilizes the string clamp 200 to secure thestring 10 in place and maintain the tension on the string 10. To securethe string 10, the user drops the string clamp 200 over top of thestring 10 and places the string clamp feet 220 in the channels 128 inthe mounting plate 125. The string 10 fits within the string clamp 200and the fingers 210. The fingers 210 have spaces between then to permitthe passage of cross strings 10 during the stringing process. There maybe any number of fingers 210 on the string clamp 200. In the preferredembodiment there is only one finger 210 on the string clamp, permittingthe two cross strings 10 to pass through the string clamp 200. When thestring clamp feet are placed in the channels 210, the user lowers thestring clamp lever 250 which engages the string clamp lock 230 and locksthe string 10 in place. There may be any number of string clamp feet 220placed on the string clamp 200. In the preferred embodiment there arefour string clamp feet 220 with two string clamp feet 220 on each sideof the string 10. The string clamp feet 220 may be of any shape and sizecomplementary to the shape and size of the channels 128 in the mountingplate 125. The channels 128 may also be of any size and shapecomplementary to the size and shape of the string clamp feet 220. Thesize and shape of the channels 128 must be sufficient such that when thestring clamp feet are placed within the channels 128 then the stringclamp 200 is secure and relatively unmovable along the plane of themounting plate 125.

The string clamp 200 is a unique improvement over existing stringclamps. Existing string clamps rise from beneath the string bed tosecure the string 10. In doing so the racket is mounted further awayfrom the mounting plate to permit space for a user's hands. Thisrequires a machine to be larger than necessary and the clamps must belarger than the string clamps 200 claimed herein. Additionally, existingstring clamps only apply pressure on the string 10 from one side of thestring 10 because the fingers are free floating and do not connect toanything. The string clamp 200 claimed herein, on the other hand,applies pressure from both above and below the string 10. The stingclamp 200 applies pressure below the string 10 when the string clampfeet 220 are secured in the channels 128 and the string clamp 200applies pressure above the string 10 when the string clamp lock 230 issecured above the string 10. Because the string clamp 200 secures thestring 10 from both above and below, the amount of pressure applied tothe string 10 can be less than that applied by existing string clamps.Existing string clamps must generate a large amount of pressure toaccount for loss and inefficiency. Therefore, existing string clampstend to break frequently. The string clamp 200 operates better thanexisting string clamps because the string clamp 200 does not have togenerate as much force to secure the string 10.

Referring to FIG. 5, a cutaway view of the lever 150 is displayed toshow the inner components of the lever 150. Inside the lever 150 is theslidable spring 152 connected to the slidable spring head 135, whichsits in the slidable spring slot 140. The end of the slidable spring 152which is opposite of the slidable spring head 135 connects with thetension lever 154. The tension lever 154 is also connected with thebrake lever 156. The brake lever 156 is connected to the torsion brakespring 116, which in turn is wrapped around the axle 114. The tensionlever 154 is connected to the drum 110. The drum 110 rotates around theaxle 114 which is in a fixed position and does not rotate. The mannerthat the drum 110 rotates around the axle 114 may be accomplished by anystandard means. In the preferred embodiment, there are a plurality ofball bearings positioned between the drum 110 and the axle 114 whichwould permit the smooth rotation of the drum 110 and lever 150 aroundthe axle 114.

Tension is applied to the string 10 by a user primarily through thestrength of the user. The end tension placed on the string is dependentupon the placement of the slidable spring 152 along the tension lever154. The slidable spring 152 may move proximate to the axle 114 ordistal from the axle 114 along the tension lever 154. The slidablespring 152 does not need to be precompressed, removing the tendency ofthe spring to fatigue through repetitive use. Optionally, the slidablespring may be compressed. Preferrably, the slideable spring iscompressed to a slight degree. To change the applicable tension, a usermay slide the slidable spring 152 along the tension lever 154. Movingthe slidable spring 152 along the tension lever 154 changes the forceand operation of the simple lever formed by the tension lever 154 andthe axle 114. A user may begin with a standard tension where theslidable spring 152 is positioned distal from the axle 114. When a usermoves the slidable spring 152 distal from the axle 114, the distance ofthe slidable spring 152 from the axle 114 is increased, while thedistance of the string 10 from the axle 114 remains the same. Thereforethe ratio of the simple lever changes resulting in a greater tensionneeded to trigger the brake lever 156. As a user moves the slidablespring 152 proximate to the axle 114, the distance of the slidablespring 152 from the axle 114 is decreased, while the distance of thestring 10 from the axle 114 remains the same. Therefore the ratio of thesimple lever changes, resulting in lower tension needed to trigger thebrake lever 156. This causes a relatively smaller amount of tension tobe placed in the string in the racket. Thus, to increase the tension, auser moves the slidable spring 152 distal to the axle 114. To decreasethe tension a user moves the slidable spring 152 proximate from the axle114.

In another embodiment of the invention, the slidable spring 152 may bereplaced with a fixed spring which is in a fixed position on the tensionlever 156. In this embodiment the user changes the tension by twistingthe spring to change the compression level of the spring and thus thetension placed on the tension lever 150.

The racket stringing machine may be composed out of any type of materialsuited for commercial purposes. The components of the racket stringingmachine may be made out of metal or a formed thermoplastic, or acombination thereof.

In separate embodiments of the invention, the brake may be any type ofbrake which may be utilized to lock the drum 110 in place about the axle114. In the preferred embodiment the brake is a torsion spring brake116. The torsion spring brake 116 utilizes a torsion spring wound aboutthe axle 114. In another embodiment the brake may be a disc brake.Optionally, the brake may be an electromagnetic brake.

In separate embodiments of the invention the brake may be disengaged inany manner known. In the preferred embodiment, the brake lever 156 has abrake lever handle 145 which a user may move distal from the drum 110 todisengage the brake. The racket stringing machine may have a brakerelease button which mechanically or electronically causes the brake todisengage.

To utilize the invention the user first chooses the appropriate level oftension. Then the user secures the string 10 in the string gripper 112.The user then rotates the lever 150 away from the base 105. When thetension in the string 10 is equal to the tension in the slidable spring152, the tension lever 154 compresses the slidable spring 152. As theslidable spring 152 is compressed, the tension lever 154 will movetoward the side of the lever 150 with the slidable spring slot 140. Thetension lever 154 will then detach from the brake lever 156. When thebrake lever 156 detaches from the tension lever 154 the brake lever 156slides toward the drum 110. When the brake lever 156 moves toward thedrum 110 the torsion spring brake 116 is allowed to return to itsnatural state and tighten around the axle 114. When the torsion springbrake 116 tightens around the axle 114, the drum 110 no longer freelyrotates about the axle 114. Thus the lever 150 becomes locked in placepermitting the user to unhandled the lever 150 to continue the stringingprocess. When the user is ready to remove the tension from the string 10the user grabs the brake lever handle 145 and moves the brake lever 156distal from the drum 110 and secures the brake lever 156 to the tensionlever 154. As the user moves the brake lever 156 away from the drum 110the torsion spring brake 116 is pulled into an unwound and loosenedposition, permitting the drum 110 to once again rotate freely about theaxle 114. The user may rotate the lever 150 back to the beginningposition toward the base 105 and repeat the stringing process with thenext length of string 10.

1. A tennis racket stringing machine comprising a base a mounting platesaid mounting plate having a plurality of channels shaped for receivingone or more string clamp feet one or more string clamps said stringclamp having one or more string clamp feet shaped for being insertedinto said channels wherein said string clamp is removably secured tosaid mounting plate when said string clamp feet are placed in saidchannels wherein said string clamp is positioned from above the stringbed, lowered over the string bed, is secured to the mounting plate, andthen is locked on a string during the stringing process wherein saidstring clamp is secured to the machine on one side of the string bed andlocks on the other side of the string bed.
 2. The tennis racketstringing machine as in claim 1 wherein said string clamp furthercomprises a string clamp lock, a string clamp lever, and one or morefingers.
 3. The tennis racket stringing machine as in claim 2 whereinsaid mounting plate is movable along the plane of the string bed whereina user positions the mounting plate in a desired location along theplane of the string bed, and locks the mounting plate in place prior toattaching said string clamp to said mounting plate.
 4. the tennis racketstringing machine as in claim 2 wherein said mounting plate is animmobile plate with said plurality of channels covering the substantialsurface of the mounting plate wherein said plurality of channels islocated substantially throughout the string bed area.
 5. The tennisracket stringing machine as in claim 4 further comprising a plurality ofracket mounts a rotational plate base said rotational plate baseconnected to said base whereby as said base remains in a fixed positiona user may rotate said rotational plate base wherein said mounting plateis affixed to said rotational plate base.
 6. The tennis racket stringingmachine or claim 5 further comprising a drum said drum attached to saidbase said drum comprising a string gripper designed to secure a stringduring the stringing process an immobile axle a brake wherein said drumrotates freely about said immobile axle A lever said lever comprising anexternal housing a tension lever, said tension lever placed within saidexternal housing and connected to said drum a brake lever, a tensionspring, wherein said tension spring is positioned between said tensionlever and said external housing of said lever, said tension springconnecting said tension lever to said external housing of said leverwherein said brake lever is removably secured to said tension lever,wherein when the tension in said string is equal to or greater than thetension in said tension spring, said tension lever compresses saidtension spring, wherein when said tension lever compresses said tensionspring said tension lever detaches from said brake lever, wherein whensaid brake lever detaches from said tension lever said brake leverengages said brake, wherein when said brake is engaged said drum becomesimmobile and locks into the then current position.
 7. The racketstringing machine as in claim 6 further comprising a brake releasebutton wherein said brake lever disengages said brake when a userpresses said brake release button.
 8. The racket stringing machine as inclaim 7 wherein said brake release button is located on said lever. 9.The racket stringing machine as in claim 6 further comprising a brakelever handle said brake lever handle protruding from said externalhousing of said lever wherein a user may slide said brake lever handledistal from said drum to disengage said brake lever from said brake. 10.The racket stringing machine as in claim 9 wherein said brake is atorsion spring brake.
 11. The racket stringing machine as in claim 9wherein said brake is a disc brake.
 12. The racket stringing machine asin claim 9 further comprising a slidable spring slot wherein saidslidable spring slot s positioned along the longitudinal axis of saidlever a slidable spring head, wherein said slidable spring head passesthrough said slidable spring slot and is connected to said tensionspring wherein a user may change the tension set in said string duringthe stringing process by sliding said tension spring along said slidablespring slot wherein said tension spring is a slidable spring.
 13. Theracket stringing machine as in claim 12 wherein said brake is a torsionspring brake.
 14. A tennis racket stringing machine comprising a base arotational plate base said rotational plate base connected to said basewhereby as said base remains in a fixed position a user may rotate saidrotational plate base a mounting plate said mounting plate affixed tosaid rotational plate base a plurality of racket mounts a table clampsaid table clamp affixed to said base whereby said table clamp permits auser to affix said base to planar surface a drum said drum attached tosaid base said drum comprising a string gripper designed to secure astring during the stringing process an immobile axle a brake whereinsaid drum rotates freely about said immobile axle A lever said levercomprising an external housing a tension lever, said tension leverplaced within said external housing and connected to said drum a brakelever, said brake lever placed within said external housing and saidbrake lever having a brake lever handle protruding from externally fromsaid lever, said brake lever a tension spring, wherein said tensionspring is positioned between said tension lever and said externalhousing of said lever, said tension spring connecting said tension leverto said external housing of said lever wherein said brake lever isremovably secured to said tension lever, wherein when the tension insaid string is equal to or greater than the tension in said tensionspring, said tension lever compresses said tension spring, wherein whensaid tension lever compresses said tension spring said tension leverdetaches from said brake lever, wherein when said brake lever detachesfrom said tension lever said brake lever engages said brake, whereinwhen said brake is engaged said drum becomes immobile and locks into thethen current position.
 15. The racket stringing machine as in claim 14wherein said brake is a torsion spring brake.
 16. The racket stringingmachine as in claim 15 further comprising a slidable spring slot whereinsaid slidable spring slot s positioned along the longitudinal axis ofsaid lever a slidable spring head, wherein said slidable spring headpasses through said slidable spring slot and is connected to saidtension spring wherein a user may change the tension set in said stringduring the stringing process by sliding said tension spring along saidslidable spring slot wherein said tension spring is a slidable spring.17. The racket stringing machine as in claim 16 wherein said mountingplate has a plurality of channels shaped for receiving one or morestring clamp feet said racket stringing machine further comprising oneor more string clamps said string clamp having one or more string clampfeet shaped for being inserted into said channels wherein said stringclamp is removably secured to said mounting plate when said string clampfeet are placed in said channels.
 18. A process for stringing a racketcomprising placing a racket blank on a mounting plate securing saidracket blank to said mounting plate by means of a plurality of racketmounts threading a string through said racket blank securing said stringon a string gripper attached to a drum said drum attached to a baserotating a lever from a beginning position to apply tension to saidstring said lever connected to said drum said lever comprising anexternal housing a tension lever, said tension lever placed within saidexternal housing and connected to said drum a brake lever, said brakelever placed within said external housing a tension spring, wherein saidtension spring is positioned between said tension lever and saidexternal housing of said lever, said tension spring connecting saidtension lever to said external housing of said lever wherein said brakelever is removably secured to said tension lever, wherein when thetension in said string is equal to or greater than the tension in saidtension spring, said tension lever compresses said tension spring,wherein when said tension lever compresses said tension spring saidtension lever detaches from said brake lever, wherein when said brakelever detaches from said tension lever said brake lever engages saidbrake, wherein when said brake is engaged said drum becomes immobile andlocks into the then current position lowering a string clamp over saidstring said string clamp having a plurality of string clamp feet placingsaid plurality of string clamp feet in a plurality of channels in saidmounting plate locking said string clamp onto said string disengagingsaid brake lever rotating said lever to said beginning position.
 19. Themethod as in claim 18 further comprising rotating said mounting plate torotate said racket securing said string to said racket.
 20. The methodas in claim 19 further comprising first securing said base to a planarsurface by means of a table clamp said table clamp attached to saidbase.